Subject: Role of Baryon Flows in Galaxy Evolution: Hidden Pathways Connecting Galaxies to the Cosmic Web

Candidate for the MIfA Assistant Professor position

Galaxies are not isolated. They constantly exchange matter and energy with their surroundings. In spite of these pathways being obscure, they have had immense consequences. For example, galaxy growth and subsequent star formation is maintained by gradual accretion of gas from the cosmic web. In turn, young stars produce vast amounts of energy that may ionize gas in the cosmic web as well as spew out metals in the intergalactic medium (IGM). I will talk about the advances we have made in understanding the physics behind these pathways via studies of the circumgalactic medium (CGM). It is the vast reservoir of faint tenuous gas that extends from the edge of the disks of galaxies out to their virial radii. Therefore, the CGM holds crucial keys to understanding the various inflow and outflow processes. I will discuss observations of the CGM that suggests of these pathways via which galaxies acquire gas, condense it into their interstellar medium, form stars, and finally, release matter and energy back into their CGM and the IGM.